Best treatment for anxiety and panic disorder?

Question

What is the best treatment for anxiety and panic disorder?
I am taking a beta blocker 25mg and the Dr gave me Xanax too. But everyone keeps telling me how wrong Xanax is and so addictive. But I keep having the panic attacks. Is anyone else taking an SSRI or something else for the anxiety and panic attack treatment? What are alternatives other than Xanax?
Anyone taking it combined with a beta blocker?

Answer 1

I have the same disorder. I take Valium which is much longer acting than Xanax. I had a terrible time trying to get off of Xanax. It is very short acting and very addictive. Also, you should get into cognitive therapy. I took an anxiety management program and it helped me a lot. When i feel a panic attack coming on i now have some mental tools to fight it off and most of the time i am able to do that. Good luck!!

Answer 2

I am so so sorry you are going thru this. I have suffered for many years from depression BUT after a particularly bad couple of years, (bereavement, illnesses in the family); I suddenly started having panic attacks. The symptoms were sweating, shaking, palpitations, pins and needles and hardly able to leave the house. My doc put me on 3 diazapan a day (5 mg) and 2 prozac a day for a month. This helped SO MUCH especially the diazapan. I am now on 1 diazapan and 1 prozac and am feeling much better. I really would recommend the diazapan (valium) but only on a short term basis cos they can be very addictive. Please also see a Counsellor (I see one thru my local Medical Practice). Maybe you could do the same? This helps, being able to talk to someone who is Neutral ie. not a friend of family member, I know I have serious worries which started my panic attacks. Think very carefully if there is something deep inside you which is bringing these attacks on. I also found meditation and deep breathing exercises very good. You can find these techniques on the Internet. Eat a good, balanced diet and try adding a good quality B vitamin supplement (this is very healing for nervous/panic conditions). I do hope you feel better soon. I know how awful these attacks are and I will be thinking of you.

Answer 3

I take Paxil. It helps with anxiety as well as my depression. I've only ever had two panic attacks and none since I've been on medication. I used to take Prozac, but I started getting muscle twitches at night after taking it for about a year. I took Xanax for a short time. I , too was worried about addiction, but only took 1/2 of the smallest dose when I really needed it. My doctor said you would have to take a larger dose (can't remember exactly how much) every day to get to an addiction level. I don't really know what a beta blocker is. I thought it was the name of a certain type of drugs...like some are SSRI's (whatever that means) . I think Paxil is an SSRI. Bottom line...there is no "best treatment" that works for everyone. Your doctor will have try different meds and different dosages to see what works for you. Best advice: Don't be listening to "everyone". If you trust your doctor, listen to him/her. If you don't, find another one.

Answer 4

That's a really low dose of beta blocker and it should be a specific beta blocker Inderal or propranolol and yes xanax is probably the most addictive drug next to nicotine and crack cocaine. There are many other options like Paxil which is a SSRI or Lexipro another SSRI which are both good for panic disorders, but now that your on xanax you need to slowly wean yourself off it, splitting pills with a pill splitter you can buy at the pharmacy. Doctors frown upon this as they would like to write you a lower dose but this is a much more economical means and puts you in a position of control which you need right now. FYI I have taken Xanax.

Answer 5

There are many Medications to treat a Panic Disorder.

Xanax is one.

I have been taking two medications for years in the treatment of my Panic Disorder.

I went through a series of medications, before the correct combination was found for me.

This is not the forum to divulge what those Medications are.

Send me an Email if you desire additional information.

Answer 6

I took SSRIs for Anxiety and Panic. Both Paxil and Effexor worked great. I have taken Xanax and other Benzodiazepines, and while they are good "reactive" medications, they aren't great "proactive" medications. In other words, they only work once you are already spiraling in anxiety and panic. For that reason, and many others like addiction and aggression, I choose not to take them. (Though they can be helpful to have around as a sort of "reset button" if things go bad.) Look into SSRIs, even if for a short cycle to give you some confidence to handle the stress. You can do it! Just listen to your body.

Answer 7

I take Xanax .25mg (The lowest dose) when I have anxiety/panic attacks and I feel no addiction what so ever. When taking advice from others re this medication I would suggest asking them if they have ever taken it themselves, if they havent I suggest speaking to someone who has some knowlege on the med, ie someone who has actually taken it

Answer 8

I took lexapro for a few months....i was depressed and had anxiety attacks but that seemed to help i'm not takin them anymore because i guess i dont need them. I still have anxiety attacks from time to time but not as much.

Answer 9

Why not try a solution that does not require the use of medication. Check out this site:

http://www.cureanxietydisorder.com/cure.html

It has helped many people stop their panic/anxiety attacks....

All the best...

Answer 10

If you want a more natural remedy that has been actually proven try St. johns wort a herbal treatment for this kind of thing plus its not addictive.